2011年3月3日木曜日

Japanese suicides exceed 30,000 for 13th year

The number of suicides in Japan last year exceeded 30,000 for the 13th year in a row, with more young people killing themselves after failing to get jobs.

The National Police Agency said on Thursday that the number of people who took their lives in 2010 was 31,690, down 3.5 percent from the previous year.

People in their 50s accounted for the largest number of suicides at nearly 6,000, followed by those in their 60s and 40s.

About half of those who committed suicide are believed to have done so due to health problems such as depression and physical illness. The next most common reason is thought to be economic hardship.

Among those taking their lives due to economic problems, 424 are thought to have done so because of failure to get jobs. The number has increased for three years in a row.

Of those who committed suicide due to such failure, the number of people in their 20s totaled 153, up 25 percent from the previous year.

The government says the severe employment situation for university graduates is believed to be one reason behind the increase, and is strengthening anti-suicide measures in cooperation with universities.
Thursday, March 03, 2011 17:53 +0900 (JST)

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